A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted, causing brain cells to die from lack of oxygen. Consulting a Stroke specialist in delhi is essential for timely diagnosis and treatment.
Ischemic strokes, about 85% of cases, result from a clot blocking a brain artery, while hemorrhagic strokes happen when a vessel ruptures and bleeds into the brain. Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), or mini-strokes, have brief symptoms under 24 hours but signal high risk and should be evaluated by a Stroke specialist in delhi.
Symptoms of Stroke
Here are early symptoms of stroke:
1. Face drooping: Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the face.
2. Arm weakness: Sudden weakness or numbness in one arm.
3. Speech difficulties: Sudden trouble speaking or understanding speech.
4. Vision changes: Sudden blurred vision, double vision, or loss of vision.
5. Severe headache: Sudden severe headache with no known cause.
6. Dizziness or loss of balance: Sudden dizziness, loss of balance, or coordination.
If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, call emergency services immediately. Acting F.A.S.T. can save lives:
– F – Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of their face droop?
– A – Arm: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
– S – Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Is their speech slurred or difficult to understand?
– T – Time: Time is crucial. Call emergency services immediately.
Stroke treatment demands immediate action within the “golden hour” to limit brain cell death, with protocols differing sharply between ischemic (85% of cases, caused by clots) and hemorrhagic (bleeding) types. Ischemic strokes prioritize restoring blood flow via clot dissolution or removal, while hemorrhagic cases focus on stopping the bleed and reducing intracranial pressure. Rapid neuroimaging like CT distinguishes types, guiding therapy to optimize recovery and minimize deficits like paralysis or speech loss, ideally under a Stroke specialist in delhi
Ischemic Stroke Interventions
Intravenous thrombolytics such as alteplase (tPA, 0.9 mg/kg over 60 minutes, max 90 mg) dissolve clots if given within 4.5 hours of symptom onset, improving outcomes in eligible patients without hemorrhage risk. Endovascular thrombectomy uses catheters to mechanically remove clots from large vessels (e.g., MCA), extending the window to 24 hours in select cases with proven salvageable tissue on perfusion imaging, achieving 50%+ functional independence. Adjuncts include antiplatelets like aspirin (325 mg within 48 hours) post-thrombolysis, often managed by a Stroke specialist in delhi.
Hemorrhagic Stroke Management
Surgical options like craniotomy evacuate large intracerebral hematomas (>30 mL) or clip/coil ruptured aneurysms in subarachnoid hemorrhage to prevent rebleeding, often within hours. Endoscopic evacuation or stereotactic aspiration minimizes trauma for deep bleeds, while ventricular drains relieve hydrocephalus from intraventricular extension. Blood pressure control targets SBP <140 mmHg with nicardipine or labetalol to stabilize the hematoma without compromising perfusion under supervision of a Stroke specialist in delhi.
Supportive and Preventive Care
All strokes require airway protection, glucose control (140-180 mg/dL), fever management, and swallowing screens to prevent aspiration. Early rehabilitation starts within 24-48 hours, with statins and anticoagulation for cardioembolic sources post-stabilization. Public awareness of FAST (Face, Arm, Speech, Time) ensures faster hospital arrival, as each delayed minute costs 1.9 million neurons. Long-term follow-up with a Stroke specialist in delhi improves recovery and reduces recurrence risk.
